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This week, schools across the Netherlands take part in Spring Fever Week – our annual campaign week on sexuality education for primary schools. This year’s theme, respect and equality in relationships, was chosen because too many young people around the world experience (online) sexual harassment or violence.
Preventing this starts long before harm occurs. It begins with giving children the skills to understand their own boundaries, to respect those of others and to build relationships based on equality.
Age-appropriate sexuality education
Age-appropriate sexuality education plays a key role in this. Children explore everyday interactions, learn to understand boundaries and develop the social skills they need for healthy relationships.
“Through age-appropriate lessons, children learn how to treat each other kindly, understand that everyone is equal and free to be themselves, and that a ‘no’ must always be respected,” says Elsbeth Reitzema, relationship and sexuality education expert at Rutgers. “These early lessons help them build safe, confident and healthy relationships.”
Learning through everyday interactions
In practice, this can be as simple as learning to ask before giving someone a hug, understanding that a high five might feel more comfortable for someone else, or recognising that interests and behaviours should not be limited by expectations about gender. These small, practical lessons help children navigate relationships in a safe and confident way.
Building the foundation for safe and equal relationships
At its core, this approach is about creating foundations for healthy relationships later in life. When children learn early on that their own wishes and boundaries matter – and that those of others do too – they are better equipped to prevent harmful behaviour and to contribute to a safer, more respectful society.
This week’s Spring Fever Week highlights the importance of teaching children these skills from an early age. Supporting children to grow up with respect for themselves and others is not only vital for their wellbeing, but also for building more equal and safe communities around the world.